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Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Onyx - Kaleidoscope of Colours: The Onyx Demo Sessions 1967

The Onyx was formed in Wadebridge, Cornwall in 1965. Out of the ashes of Rick & The Hayseeds the band came to be known as The Onyx Set, named after an Onyx ring owned by original band member Mike Black-Borow. After various changes in the line-up they shortened their name to The Onyx and the classic line-up was formed. The band members were: guitarist Alan Hodge, vocalist Tony Priest, bassist Dick Bland, keyboard player Steve Cotton and drummer Roger Dell. They were and still remain, one of the biggest bands to come out of Cornwall. The band evolved from doing cover versions of popular contemporary Beat boom bands in its early days to psychedelia.

It was well known for its intricate five-part harmonies. After relocating to the outskirts of London in the summer of 1967, they released a total of seven singles, one of which was released under the pseudonym Salamander that are now highly regarded by psychedelic pop fans. This previously unreleased collection of studio demos recorded in late 1967 as they prepared to sign to a major label, features early versions of subsequent single tracks.(including "So Sad Inside" and "You've Gotta Be With Me", the latter with songwriter Guy Fletcher on lead vocals), the band's original recording of subsequent She Trinity B-side "Climb That Tree" and a host of previously unissued day-glo psychedelic pop offerings, including the extraordinary, heavily phased title song. Includes a 16-page booklet with extensive liner notes that include the first-ever telling of the Onyx story.and some particularly great pictures of the band in their nerd-years.